Re: Another interesting use for RS-13

Richard,
At 02:01 PM 01/18/2000 -0600, Richard Allen wrote:
>RS-13 set here in the north at 19:25 today. As it crossed
>over the polar region and across the nothern Russian border
>at 19:40 at 65N 49E it was 35 degrees below the horizon here
>and peaking s7 with an auroral flutter. I was still copying as
>it passed Moscow to the east, then between the Caspian and
>Aral seas. It finally faded as it crossed the Iranian border at
>19:48 after 23 minutes of below horizon copy. Amazing stuff!
Certainly amazing phenomenon! Thanks for sharing your experiment with us.
I have been an armchair participant in several anomalous propagation
experiments using OSCAR as a source.
Many times it is possible to predict enhanced HF conditions by working a
mode J or B bird. Whenever there is heightened geomagnetic activity, a
distinct auroral flutter, can be heard on the downlink signal.
Often I can tell when there is a VHF band opening or enhancement by
detecting a strong attenuation of my uplink signal. The same phenomenon
which causes signals to propagate on a terrestrial path, will also affect a
path which makes 2 trips through the same area of the ionosphere.
Another phenomenon I listen for on a regular basis, but have not been able
to document, is the antipodal effect. RS-13 and RS-15 signals (supposedly)
can be detected when the subsatellite point is antipodal to your QTH. That
is, when the satellite is directly under you, instead of straight overhead.
I have tracking points on my tracking maps for my antipodal
point. Whenever I see one of these birds approaching this point, I scan
for a signal.
If there is anyone "listening" who has experienced this phenomenon, I would
like to hear about it. Also, since this phenomenon seems to correlate with
solar maximum, are we just talking about a multi-hop propagation
phenomenon? What about reports that the signals can be S9 +60 dB at times?
I am looking forward to the launch of Jawsat, and what we will learn from
the ionization experiments aboard.
Godspeed Minuteman!
73, Mike
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